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Divorce In Tennessee: A Guide For Knoxville Residents

Dealing with a divorce can be emotionally challenging, but understanding the legal process in Knoxville, Tennessee, can help alleviate some of the uncertainty. You need a knowledgeable lawyer to guide you through the nuances of Tennessee divorce law and represent your best interests.

At G. Chance Harrison, Attorney At Law, I provide knowledgeable legal guidance to clients going through divorce in Knoxville and across Tennessee. I am committed to delivering practical guidance to help my clients address the challenges of divorce with confidence and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Types Of Divorce In Tennessee

Tennessee recognizes two main types of divorce:

  • Contested divorce: This occurs when the spouses cannot agree on one or more key issues, such as property division, child custody or support. Contested divorces typically involve court hearings and potentially a trial, where a judge will make the final decisions on the disputed matters.
  • Uncontested divorce: An uncontested divorce happens when both spouses agree on all aspects of the divorce, including asset division, custody arrangements and support. This type of divorce is generally quicker and less expensive, as it involves less court intervention and can often be resolved through a written agreement submitted to the court for approval.

What Are The Requirements For Divorce In Tennessee?

If you are considering divorce in Tennessee, there are several requirements that you must meet. These are:

  • Grounds for divorce: You must have valid grounds for divorce. Tennessee recognizes both no-fault grounds, such as irreconcilable differences or living apart without cohabitation for a specific period, and fault-based grounds, such as adultery, abandonment, cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, bigamy and imprisonment for a felony.
  • Residency requirement: You or your spouse must have lived in Tennessee for at least six months before filing.

I will make sure you understand the requirements and are fully prepared for each step of the divorce process.

What Is The Process Of Filing For A Divorce In Tennessee?

Once you have confirmed that you meet the requirements as outlined above, the process varies depending on whether your divorce is contested or uncontested. For a contested divorce, the steps involved include:

  • File the complaint: You draft and file a complaint for divorce with the local court, specifying the grounds for divorce and the requested relief.
  • Serve the complaint: This officially notifies your spouse of the legal action being taken and gives them the time limits for a response.
  • Response and counterclaim: The respondent has 30 days to file an answer to the complaint, either agreeing or disagreeing with the terms and may file a counterclaim with additional requests.
  • Discovery phase: You and your spouse exchange relevant information and documents through discovery, including financial records and evidence related to disputed issues.
  • Mediation (if applicable): You attend mediation sessions to attempt to resolve disagreements about the divorce outside of court.
  • Court hearings: If mediation fails, you both attend court hearings to present your cases and a judge makes the decisions on contested matters.
  • Final decree: You obtain a Final Decree of Divorce from the court, which formalizes the dissolution of the marriage and outlines the terms of your settlement.

In an uncontested divorce, the process is simpler, with both spouses agreeing on all terms and submitting a written agreement to the court for approval. This avoids court hearings or trials and is often quicker and less costly.

Get In Touch Today

Get knowledgeable guidance throughout the Tennessee divorce process today. Call me at 865-234-2138 or send me an email today to schedule a free consultation.